North Carolina lands 5-star Demarcus Henry, nation's No. 2 recruit
Five-star forward Demarcus Henry, ESPN's No. 2 recruit in 2027, commits to North Carolina over Kentucky, Arkansas and Louisville.
Three days prior to North Carolina's new head coach Michael Malone stepping onto the court, the university had already secured its first recruit from the Class of 2027. Five-star small forward Demarcus Henry chose the Tar Heels over other notable options like Arkansas, Louisville, and Kentucky. The No. 2 player in the 2027 Class according to ESPN, Henry becomes the program's top-ranked recruit since second-ranked Cole Anthony in 2019.
Standing at 6'7", the 6'7" forward from AZ Compass Prep has proven himself as one of the nation's top prospects. Last year, he ranked seventh in scoring on the Nike EYBL circuit with an average of 19.3 points per game, third in rebounding with 9.2 rebounds per game, and shot about 52% from the field. Henry was also selected to the USA Basketball U18 national team, contributing to their silver medal win at the 2026 FIBA U18 Men's AmeriCup.
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Henry carries on the athletic legacy of his brother Chris Henry Jr., an Ohio State wide receiver, and his father, a former NFL wideout. His commitment marks North Carolina's first sign from the 2027 Class, but Malone has also been heavily pursuing other top-5 prospects Beckham Black (PG) and CJ Rosser (PF).
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